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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Winter wheat estimates are up slightly in the Dakotas over the month.

The Agriculture Department on Thursday pegged South Dakota’s winter wheat crop at 59 million bushels, up 2 percent from last month, and increased the North Dakota forecast 4 percent to 17.3 million bushels.

South Dakota’s forecast is down 8 percent from last year’s production, and North Dakota’s forecast is down 34 percent. Winter wheat is a minor crop in North Dakota, which sometimes results in wide percentage swings in production.

The average yield in South Dakota is expected to be up 8 bushels from last year to 50 bushels per acre. North Dakota’s average yield is projected at a record 54 bushels per acre.